Request ID: FOI-0640-2425 Date published: 25 June 2024
You asked
F/O from 0523-2425
Dear Sara Thomas
TfL Ref: 0523-2425
I understand the TFL position. As mentioned earlier, I'm aware of how specific my request is. Nevertheless, having data solely on the London Underground wouldn't be sufficient for what I'm trying to achieve.
That being said, perhaps if I refine my request, there is a chance you could help me. For example, if we consider ONLY the following questions:
1 . Would it be possible to know how many tickets have been sold since 2015? (For each year, and then a breakdown for each year by tickets sold at service windows, TVMs, and others.)
For reference: There was an identical FOI request in the past to London North Eastern Railway Limited, only referencing 2023. You can see it here -> https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statistics_of_how_many_tickets_h_17#incoming-2624107
2 . The total number of TVMs since 2015. (No need to focus on type and other technical aspects.)
Hopefully, it will be easier to gather the info.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0640-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 May 2024 asking for information about Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and ticket sales.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You specifically asked:
1 . Would it be possible to know how many tickets have been sold since 2015? (For each year, and then a breakdown for each year by tickets sold at service windows, TVMs, and others.)
2 . The total number of TVMs since 2015.
Please note firstly that Multi fares machines (MFMs) are the large ticket machines on London Underground; AFMs are the smaller machines on London Underground - both are only on London Underground. TVM is the name for new ticket machines installed at London Underground, London Overground and Elizabeth line stations since 2015. The modes have been split as per below:
London Underground
1.Please see the breakdown of ticket sales by location in the table below as requested (in £millions):
Year
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
Total since 2014/15
*Underground stations
199.6
177.4
159.2
144.2
132.3
114.4
18.8
43.0
67.7
68.4
1,125.0
Travel Information Centres
0.9
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
2.5
Oyster Ticket Stops
114.6
106.2
94.9
82.8
70.7
58.1
27.3
36.4
36.5
33.6
661.0
Web/App/Auto top up
10.4
10.5
10.0
9.9
12.3
12.4
3.5
7.6
10.3
12.1
99.0
Bulk sales (to local authorities)
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.8
Total
325.7
294.5
264.5
237.4
215.6
185.1
49.6
87.0
114.6
114.2
1,888.3
*Please note that our data doesn’t distinguish between ticket machines and ticket offices in Underground stations.
2.The table below lists both the number of TVMs as of 2015, and those currently in use, with a breakdown of cash and card acceptance for all operating businesses – note that this data covers London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth Line and the 2 or 3 machines for Buses. Please note that this data does not include all ticket machines on the London Overground or the Elizabeth line - they also have other machines that are the legacy of being part of the National Rail network and so feed directly into those systems – we don’t receive the data from them and are not responsible for them.
Device Type (TVM Type)
2015 Live
2024 Live
Media accepted
Notes
Multi-Fare Machine
329
325
Coins, Notes, Cards
Advanced Fare Machine
578
516
Coins, Notes, Cards
Ticket Vending Machine
0
249
216 Coins, Notes, Card 33 Card Only
First introduced from circa 2017
Quick Ticket Machine
121
20
Card Only
Please note that the Ticket Vending Machine is the only type of device that has been installed since 2015.
Elizabeth line
1.Please see attached which lists Ticket Office, Envoy and TVM sales by period. Key to note Burnham = Ticket Office Sales Burnham OTS = Envoy hand held sales device, card only for break cover. Similar to what is used by other TOC’s, for onboard retailing. Burnham SST = TVM Sales
2. Please see our answer as above.
London Overground
1.Please see the table below which shows ticket sales by period:
Financial Years 6 April to 5 April
2015-2016
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
2019-2020
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
Transactions
Ticket Vending Machines
11,336,063
10,389,182
9,292,192
8,466,755
7,159,560
2,694,495
4,600,420
5,058,263
5,330,923
Ticket Office
2,745,251
2,895,482
2,752,629
2,245,374
1,748,323
146,621
197,798
198,109
204,309
Total
14,081,314
13,284,664
12,044,821
10,712,129
8,907,883
2,841,116
4,798,218
5,256,372
5,535,232
2. Please see our answer as above.
DLR
1. Worldline who maintain the DLR’s TVM’s only hold information on total ticket sales per machine at each station for an 18-month period. Please see this data attached. Please note that unfortunately we don’t hold information on the number of ticket sales for our Visitor Centre at London City Airport.
2. We currently have 114 TVMs active across the network, down from 146 at the commencement of the Franchise.
This excludes West Ham, Canning Town & Bank, as the TVMs located at these stations are managed by London Underground.
The numbers of active TVMs has reduced due to a few lesser-used machines being withdrawn from service, and used for parts, enabling higher usage TVMs to remain in service. DLRL haven’t acquired any TVMs since 2015.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
